Falcate Orangetip

Anthocharis midea — the falcate orangetip — is one of the most distinctive small butterflies in eastern North America and one of about 12 species in genus Anthocharis (the orangetip butterflies — a Holarctic genus with species across North America, Europe, and Asia, all sharing the male orange-tip wing pattern). The species is widespread across the eastern and central US from southern New England south through the eastern US to northern Florida and west to Texas. Adults are 3-5 cm wingspan with the species' two diagnostic features: (1) FALCATE FORWING TIPS — the forewing tips are hooked or sickle-shaped (the term 'falcate' comes from the Latin 'falx' meaning sickle), unique among NA white butterflies (no other Pieridae have falcate wing tips); (2) MALE ORANGE WING-TIP PATCHES — males have bright orange patches at the falcate tips of the forewings, while females are entirely white. The orange-tip pattern is a key recognition feature for falcate orangetips and the Anthocharis genus generally — the European orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and other Holarctic species also have male orange tips. The wing UNDERSIDES (visible when the butterfly is at rest) have intricate yellow-and-green MARBLED PATTERNS that resemble dappled forest light or moss-on-bark — providing camouflage against forest substrate when the butterfly is at rest. The species is one of the EARLIEST-EMERGING butterflies in eastern NA spring — adults emerge in MARCH-APRIL (occasionally as early as late February in southern populations), often before most other NA butterflies have emerged from overwintering. Adults are short-lived (1-2 weeks) and the species has only one generation per year (univoltine — most other NA butterflies have multiple generations). The ephemeral spring flight period combined with the distinctive male orange wing tips makes the species one of the most-anticipated spring butterfly events for eastern NA naturalists. Larvae feed on plants in family Brassicaceae (the mustard family) — especially toothworts (Cardamine), bittercress, and rockcress (Arabis). The larvae sequester glucosinolates from the host plants and are mildly toxic, providing chemical defense. Pupation occurs in late spring and the pupae overwinter through summer, autumn, and winter — emerging the following spring as adults. The 11+ months pupal diapause is the species' overwintering strategy. The species is harmless to humans and a major beneficial pollinator of early spring wildflowers.